The bullet-out-of-gun energy JessB and Sampa the Great combine on new song “Power” for a hard hitting Mood on the Roof concert.
JessB, hailing from Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand), has been a trailblazer for the Southern-hemi hip-hop world, bringing her bold lyrics and magnetic stage presence to audiences around the globe. Her journey from the professional netball court to the rap stage is a testament to her relentless drive and passion for her craft, making her one of the most exciting current voices in contemporary music. Jess is also a strong force giving back to the music scene, co-founding QTPOC club nights back in Aotearoa providing a safe space for queer, black culture to dance and thrive.
Sharing the MOTR stage is Sampa the Great, a Zambian-born, Botswana-raised artist who now resides in Australia. Coming from a deeply musical family and beginning her wordsmith journey from the tender age of 9, then studying and making music in America as a teen before moving to Sydney in 2013. She’s hooked audiences worldwide with her genre-defying sound, a rich blend of Hip-Hop, African roots, soulful melodies, and deeply insightful lyrics. Her ability to weave storytelling with powerful beats has solidified her as a multi-cultural visionary in the global music landscape.
This track embodies strength, resilience, unity and the ripple effect of owning your innate power. It’s a serious testament to their individual raw talent, and a bold statement of what can be achieved when creative forces combine. With its hard-hitting beats and thought-provoking lyrics, “Power” is set to be an anthem of empowerment and self-belief. The vibe on the roof as they performed and bounced off each other’s energy was pure fun, they love what they do and truly are artists in the fullest sense.
“Power” is the first song on JessB’s 2024 album, ‘Feels Like Home’, which contains 12 unique tracks undeniably set her up to leave an even greater imprint on the global music landscape. The album was crafted by Jess throughout many different stages of her artistry, leaving it as an offering of her own personal story of transformation, amidst the weaving of other narratives in her lyrics. You’ll find Afrobeat, Neo-Soul and Rap taking you through a range of emotions, and if you’re new to her, you’ll catch JessB feelings pretty quick.
“In the context of the song, for me, it was very much about community and being unapologetically who you are, especially as a Black person on this side of the world.”
JessB – Rolling Stone Magazine
“Inspiration behind being your unique self, or how you inspire the community around you. This connection is real power,”
Sampa – Rolling Stone Magazine
